154
12 Origin and Development of Plasticity Theory
At provincial universities, the situation is even worse. If educational programs
for training engineers of all mechanical qualifications in the Soviet times suggested
a 3-semester course of theoretical mechanics, a 2-semester course of the strength
of materials, a 2-semester course of the theory of mechanisms and machines, a
1–2-semester course of parts of machines and hoisting gear, and a 2-semester
course of hydraulics, hydraulic machines, and hydraulic drive, now, instead of
that depositary of fundamental knowledge, only a 36-h (or even 18-h) course
of applied mechanics is adopted without any designing works, theses, projects,
laboratory practicals. The word “calculation” in mathematic modeling for centuries
used by engineers and designers in designing is replaced by the word “analysis.”
Software products of such “analysis” are frequently created by groups of high-class
programmers individually without participation of competent specialists in the field
of mechanics. An example is the CosmosDesign STAR application by SRAC in the
SolidWorks package [2], where in the rush for universality and multi-functionality,
the program includes “. . . stability analysis beyond elastic limit” based on the model
of isotropic hardening that does not exist [2, p. 143] (quote: “. . . von Mises Plasticity
isotropic”—a plastic body model with isotropic hardening and Mises plasticity
condition). It does not take into account the dependency of plastic properties of
the material on the loading trajectory, especially in its angular points that occur in
the case of flexure–torsion loss of stability beyond the elastic limit.
The results of such “analysis” can be easily found: the collapse of the Moscow
water park roofing (Yasenevo). The first conclusions regarding the reasons for this
catastrophe were terrorism, poor quality of cement, and lack of columns supporting
the roofing. Only after the second building designed by the same authors collapsed
(building of the Basmanny Market in Moscow), the reasons became obvious.
The investigation was summarized by the project head: “. . . software . . . ”used for
strength analysis is to be blamed. It is annoying that even in the presence of such
late confessions, the criticism of these software applications (see, for example,
[52]) is either left unnoticed or suppressed. In the existing situation, the twentyfirst century gradually turns for Russia into the age of cruel man-made catastrophes,
natural and environmental disasters. We frequently hear messages on falling rockets,
airplanes, explosions at environmental hazardous industrial facilities, collapses of
new buildings. Among the reasons are designing errors, first of all, related to
the insufficient knowledge of mechanics laws and their incorrect use (lack of
qualification).
A trend of the previous 10 years in the derogation of the place and role
of mechanics in some fundamental sciences is completely unjustified, extremely
harmful, and may cause heavy consequences. This trend will have detrimental
consequences for fostering the economy of the country and especially for preserving
and strengthening the state’s defensive capacity. These consequences are already
seen due to recent economic sanctions imposed on Russia by foreign partners.
12 Origin and Development of Plasticity Theory
At provincial universities, the situation is even worse. If educational programs
for training engineers of all mechanical qualifications in the Soviet times suggested
a 3-semester course of theoretical mechanics, a 2-semester course of the strength
of materials, a 2-semester course of the theory of mechanisms and machines, a
1–2-semester course of parts of machines and hoisting gear, and a 2-semester
course of hydraulics, hydraulic machines, and hydraulic drive, now, instead of
that depositary of fundamental knowledge, only a 36-h (or even 18-h) course
of applied mechanics is adopted without any designing works, theses, projects,
laboratory practicals. The word “calculation” in mathematic modeling for centuries
used by engineers and designers in designing is replaced by the word “analysis.”
Software products of such “analysis” are frequently created by groups of high-class
programmers individually without participation of competent specialists in the field
of mechanics. An example is the CosmosDesign STAR application by SRAC in the
SolidWorks package [2], where in the rush for universality and multi-functionality,
the program includes “. . . stability analysis beyond elastic limit” based on the model
of isotropic hardening that does not exist [2, p. 143] (quote: “. . . von Mises Plasticity
isotropic”—a plastic body model with isotropic hardening and Mises plasticity
condition). It does not take into account the dependency of plastic properties of
the material on the loading trajectory, especially in its angular points that occur in
the case of flexure–torsion loss of stability beyond the elastic limit.
The results of such “analysis” can be easily found: the collapse of the Moscow
water park roofing (Yasenevo). The first conclusions regarding the reasons for this
catastrophe were terrorism, poor quality of cement, and lack of columns supporting
the roofing. Only after the second building designed by the same authors collapsed
(building of the Basmanny Market in Moscow), the reasons became obvious.
The investigation was summarized by the project head: “. . . software . . . ”used for
strength analysis is to be blamed. It is annoying that even in the presence of such
late confessions, the criticism of these software applications (see, for example,
[52]) is either left unnoticed or suppressed. In the existing situation, the twentyfirst century gradually turns for Russia into the age of cruel man-made catastrophes,
natural and environmental disasters. We frequently hear messages on falling rockets,
airplanes, explosions at environmental hazardous industrial facilities, collapses of
new buildings. Among the reasons are designing errors, first of all, related to
the insufficient knowledge of mechanics laws and their incorrect use (lack of
qualification).
A trend of the previous 10 years in the derogation of the place and role
of mechanics in some fundamental sciences is completely unjustified, extremely
harmful, and may cause heavy consequences. This trend will have detrimental
consequences for fostering the economy of the country and especially for preserving
and strengthening the state’s defensive capacity. These consequences are already
seen due to recent economic sanctions imposed on Russia by foreign partners.